Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has called on people to support today’s rally against the closure of the Orthopaedic Hospital.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“Cork’s Northside has been progressively stripped of health services by successive governments. The Orthopaedic is the last public hospital on the Northside. It must not be allowed to close.”

“I will be supporting the rally outside the hospital today, as will local Sinn Fein councillors Mick Nugent and Thomas Gould. I would encourage everybody in the area who can make it to come out and show their support for retaining local health services in the Northside.”

For further information contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien at 086-0274142

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has said money which is currently earmarked for councillors’ conference fees could be used to save the community warden scheme.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“As things stand, the community warden scheme will come to an end in August when the current government funding runs out. Five jobs will be lost and a valuable service taken away from communities.”

“Once funding for the wardens runs out, the recruitment embargo in the public sector means they cannot be re-employed, even if money to continue the scheme subsequently becomes available. The council should do everything, therefore, the keep the scheme going for as long as possible.”

“One source of funds which could be used to continue the scheme is the money currently earmarked for conference fees. Where councillors do not choose to draw this money down, it should be possible to re-allocate it to the community warden scheme.”

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has said the proposed privatisation of the city’s refuse service is a bad deal for customers and for the council.

Cllr Nugent said:

“Sinn Féin is completely opposed to the manager’s proposal.”

“Under the terms of the deal, the waiver scheme will cease as of April 2013. This will mean full charges being applied to 5,736 households currently receiving OAP waivers and 7,144 households in receipt of fixed charge waivers. Not only will this mean another burden on hard-pressed families – it is likely to result in a rise in illegal dumping, with the city council paying the cost of the clean-up.”

“That the council’s customer base of 25,000 is to be handed over to Country Clean with no remuneration for the city council also raises serious questions over this deal.”

“The manager last night gave no indication that he had engaged in any process of competitive tendering in order to get the best value for the council and its customers. The manner in which the deal with Country Clean was closed before the manager even informed the council of the negotiations lacks transparency and is undemocratic. Rather than privatisation, we need a risk equalisation scheme which would make private operators contribute towards the cost of the waiver scheme and offer a level playing field for the public service to compete.”

Monday, June 27, 2011

Speaking in advance of the Manger’s report on the future of the city’s refuse service this evening, Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has said the public refuse service must be retained.

Cllr Nugent said:

“Any move to privatise the refuse service would be simply unacceptable.”

“More than 5,600 households in the city are currently receiving full waivers from bin charges. These include the elderly, the disabled and the unemployed, who simply cannot afford extra charges. If the service is privatised these waivers will be withdrawn.”

“The public refuse service has been operating on an uneven playing field to date, carrying the cost of the waiver scheme while private operators are free to cherry-pick the most profitable customers and routes. Instead of selling off or closing down the service, we need to make sure it can operate on a level playing field in future.”

“This can be done – at no cost to the taxpayer – by introducing a risk-equalisation scheme, similar to that which already exists in the health insurance market, whereby private operators would pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the waiver scheme.”

Over 500 people packed City Hall at the weekend for a conference on Uniting Ireland hosted by Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was joined on the platform by broadcasting legend Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Ann Piggot of Cork Council of Trades Unions, Barney O'Reilly former CEO of Kerry Educational Service and former IFA leader Ruaidhri Deasy.

In his keynote address at the event – the second of a series of conferences on the theme I dTreo Poblacht Nua/Towards a New Republic – the Sinn Féin leader said that partition had a “catastrophic effect on the island of Ireland and hindered economic development”.

He referred to Cork as the birthplace of “social reformers, activists and rebels,” citing O'Donovan Rossa and William Thompson as two examples.

Ann Piggot, a teacher who is president of Cork Council of Trades Unions, said there were more similarities between Ireland north and south than we realise, and pointed to the fact that physical barriers and imaginary borders were ignored by sporting, artistic and cultural organisations. She focused on the plight of workers in the recession and on the contact and co-operation between workers organisations from both sides of the border in ICTU. “Justice and unity are within our grasp,” she said.

Barney O'Reilly, former CEO of Kerry VEC focused on the education system. Founded in 1831 as “a national school system”, it was based on religious diversity at the beginning. As time passed, he said, “separation was the best we could do to manage diversity” with the VEC's being “a small bridgehead in a denominational system”.

The audience of hundreds joined enthusiastically in the discussion when it was opened to the floor on two occasions during the evening. Concluding the event, Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris said the conference was the opening of a conversation about Ireland’s future and it was up to everyone present to take it forward from here.

For further information contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien at 086-0274142

Thursday, June 23, 2011

EXTENDING the frontiers of all-island co-operation will be a key theme of contributions to a conference in Cork this weekend (Saturday 25 June), entitled 'Uniting Ireland: towards a new republic'.

At a similar conference organised by Sinn Féin in Dublin last Saturday, speakers such as Dr Padraic White, former managing director of the Industrial Development Authority, and Dr John Bradley, an international consultant in the area of development and industrial strategy, joined Sinn Féin president, Gerry Adams TD, and the party's deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald TD to argue for the benefits of an all-Ireland economy.

Dr Padraig White, who is chairman of the Louth Economic Forum, said “We have already travelled on the path of economic co-operation to a much greater extent than most people thought possible.” He pointed to Tourism Ireland, set up under the Belfast Agreement and which has 160 people working for the island as a whole, promoting “seamlessly the Giants' Causeway and the Lakes of Killarney”.

Dr John Bradley told the conference that “partition after 1922 was an economic as well as a political disaster. In 1926, the first year for which data are available, only 7% of total employment in the newly created Irish Free State was in manufacturing. In Northern Ireland the figure was over 30%, over four times higher. By amputating the industrialised North, partition presented the southern government with a massive challenge of industrialisation and modernisation.”

“The island economy is a reality”, he said adding that competent firms in the post-Belfast Agreement era simply traded across the border. “But we still lack an all-island policy framework that will support and strengthen the SME sector and permit firms to grow and prosper. The real partitionists are the policy makers. Not the business people,” he concluded.

“One aim of this conference is to point out that Irish unity makes economic sense. Two administrations on one small island are a waste of resources. Co-operation is the way forward, whether it be in terms of attracting tourism and foreign direct investment, planning infrastructure, or developing our renewal energy resources.”

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sinn Féin will host a major conference on Uniting Ireland in Cork City Hall next Saturday (25th June). The conference, which follows on a successful event in Dublin over the weekend, will feature speakers including Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, legendary broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, historian Dr Ruan O’Donnell, and Ann Piggott, president of the Cork Council of Trades Unions.

Speaking in advance of the event, Jonathan O’Brien TD said:

“The essence of republicanism is expressed in the 1916 Proclamation when it states: “We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland, and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indefeasible.”

“Today, with the centenary of the rising less than five years away, it seems the ownership of Ireland lies with international bondholders, and control of Irish destinies in the European Central Bank. This is where a political system stained by corruption and cronyism, and crippled by lack of vision, has brought us. The demand of James Connolly for the “reconquest of Ireland by the Irish people” has never been more relevant than it is today.”

“We need to do more than rebuild our economy – we need to remake our politics. We need build a new republic.”

“But this means addressing the issue of Irish Unity. After all, the Irish people include those of the whole island, not just 26 counties.”

“Partition has inhibited the development of both parts of Ireland. It means two administrations on one small island, creating massive duplication and waste. It inhibits rational planning in terms of developing infrastructure, attracting foreign direct investment, energy policy and tourism. We end up competing with one another for jobs or tourist dollars instead of uniting our energies to ensure we all succeed.”

“A United Ireland is an opportunity for national renewal and a new beginning. Never have these been so badly needed as now. That is why Sinn Fein is working to promote a national conversation on Irish Unity, of which this conference is part.”

“I would like to invite people across Cork and Munster to come along on Saturday and be part of the conversation. It is your future that is at stake.”

Friday, June 17, 2011

Sinn Féin TDs Jonathan O’Brien and Sandra McLellan, along with city, county and town councillors from across Cork, will be at City Hall on Monday to publicise the party’s upcoming conference, Towards a New Republic – I dtreo Poblacht Nua.

The conference, which takes place in Cork City Hall on 25th June, is part of a national conversation the party is working to promote on uniting Ireland and building a new republic. Speakers will include Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, legendary broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, historian Dr Ruan O’Donnell, and Ann Piggott, president of the Cork Council of Trades Unions.

The Sinn Féin TDs and councillors will launch the conference programme at City Hall at 1pm on Monday.

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien today said the government’s first one hundred days in office are littered with broken promises – including Fine Gael’s election pledge to guarantee the future of the Orthopaedic Hospital. He was speaking outside Leinster House, where he joined other Sinn Féin TDs in a protest to mark the government’s first 100 days in office.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“After just 100 days in office, the government already has a series of u-turns and a clutch of broken promises to its credit. Of particular concern to people on Cork’s Northside is Fine Gael’s abandonment of its election pledge to keep the Orthopaedic open.”

“Since my election I have repeatedly questioned Minister for Health Dr James Reilly on his plans for the future of the hospital, and urged him to retain it as a centre of excellence for healthcare on the Northside. His responses have been consistently evasive – in sharp contrast to what Fine Gael told people in the media and on the doors in the recent election.”

“Government has abandoned its promise to re-negotiate the EU/IMF bailout and since coming to office has handed billions in taxpayers’ money over to the banks. There is understandable suspicion that yesterday’s statement on imposing burden sharing on senior bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide is simply a stunt to mark 100 days of this government.”

“There have been dozens more u-turns in health provision and education, the introduction of water and household charges and on third-level fees.”

“Fine Gael and Labour have adopted almost the entire economic policy of the failed and rejected Fianna Fáil-Green government.

“In just 100 days it is clear that the people deserve better than what this administration has to offer.”

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has accused the government of creating more quangos, in a direct reversal of its election pledge to reduce the number of such bodies in the public service.

Cllr O’Leary said:

“During the election Fine Gael made great play of its promise to cut the number of quangos and increase the efficiency of the public service.”

“Since taking office however, they have done the complete opposite. For instance, they have announced a new semi-state body, Irish Water, which will take over the running of water services from local authorities, and a “Special Delivery Unit” in the health service to cut waiting lists.”

“Neither of these will do anything to promote more effective services – all they will do is add more layers of bureaucracy. In our health service, we already have the HSE superimposed over the old heath boards: now Minister Reilly is proposing to add another layer of management with the SDU.”

“In its first hundred days this government has already made it clear that it does not represent a new politics or a break with the past. Last week we heard that numerous government TDs and ministers are employing their relatives as constituency secretaries at the taxpayer’s expense. The establishment of a slew of new quangos is more evidence that the coalition is engaged in business as usual.”

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has been appointed to the Dáil Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, and to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy O’Brien said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed to two such important committees, where I will be able to influence legislation on issues that are of critical importance.”

“I plan to use my position on the Justice, Equality and Defence Committee to campaign for greater consistency is sentencing, reform of the judiciary, and increased support for communities in the fight against drugs.”

“My position on the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform will give me an opportunity to resist government attacks on the public service while putting forward suggestions to bring about genuine improvements in how it operates.”

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Speaking after a meeting of Cork City Council’s housing committee last night, Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent said the local authority must tackle the issue of vacant council houses, some of which are currently being left empty for up to two years.

The committee had earlier referred a motion from Cllr Nugent, calling for a maximum turnaround of three months on vacant houses, to the next full council meeting for a decision.

Cllr Nugent said:

“With 9,000 people on the council’s housing list, it is no longer tolerable that perfectly good houses should be left sitting there for 6 months, a year, or in the case of one house I know of in my own ward, two years.”

“Not only is it a disgrace that these houses should be empty while there are people in desperate need of accommodation; they frequently become dumping grounds or magnets for anti-social behaviour. The presence of empty, boarded up houses in an area promotes an air of neglect which can be the breeding ground for other social problems.”

“In these straightened times, when the council’s budget has been reduced, surely it becomes all the more important to make the best use possible of its existing resources, and ensure a quick turnaround of houses as they become vacant?”

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has described the government’s plans to bring in a flat-rate household charge in the new year as an unfair and regressive measure which will penalise the least well off.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“A flat-rate household charge, which means the same bill for the millionaire’s mansion and the pensioner in a council house, is grossly unfair and will place the greatest burden on the least well off in society.”

“While the government claims the introduction of water charges is about conservation, the proposal to introduce a flat-rate charge proves it is nothing of the kind. It is simply and clearly another tax – an unjust and regressive one at that.”

“While people have been getting used to the Labour Party abandoning its election pledges, two such u-turns in as many days – on third level fees and on water charges – is quite breathtaking.”

“Sinn Féin is totally opposed to the new taxes and will be campaigning against them by every means available to us.”

Northside Sinn Féin councillors Thomas Gould and Mick Nugent have said the HSE must act immediately to save the Little Steps Creche in Farranree, after it emerged the facility is due to close on 1st July.

They said:

“Little Steps is one of only 8 non-private community childcare facilities in Cork City providing affordable childcare. Without this facility, many parents will struggle to afford childcare and some may be forced to leave the workforce."

“The closure of the facility would also see the loss of 17 jobs at the crèche which is one of the most significant employers in Farranree.”

"The créche has suffered from ongoing financial problems in recent months as a result of cutbacks to community development projects, which have already forced the Farranree Community Development Project to close. The failure of the Fine Gael-Labour government to reverse their predecessors’ cuts to community supports means the responsibility for the closure rests with them.”

“The HSE must now step in to save the facility and secure the future of this vital service.”